River LambertThere are thousands of online slot machines in 2019. But only a few games have really shaped the industry. They have innovated and broken records, remaining popular and relevant until today. Here are some of the most influential online video slot machines that have reached the casino lobby around the world.
Cash Splash 5-reel (Microgaming)
- Cylinders: 5
- Payment lines: 15
- Features: Wilds, Scatters, Progressive Jackpots
Microgaming launched an online casino platform in 1995, but it would take another three years for the developer to release its first progressive version.
Cash Splash was already in a 3 reel format, but the 5 reel version inserted a symbol that helped activate the game’s progressive jackpot.
To win the progressive jackpot, you must line up five wilds on the 15th payline, a complicated prospect given the real chances of this happening.
Thunderstruck (Microgaming)
- Cylinders: 4
- Payment lines: 9
- Features: Free Rounds, Wilds
The Nordic-themed Thunderstruck slot machine was launched in the early 2000s as part of a wider Microgaming software update. Although the game is popular enough to guarantee a successful sequence – Thunderstruck II – players still migrate to the original.
In the game, you can trigger free spins by making three, four or five scatters. The winnings are tripled during the scatters feature as well. Thor, the god of thunder, acts like the wild and replaces all common icons in the game.
Mega Moolah (Microgaming)
- Cylinders: 5
- Payment lines: 15
- Features: Free Spins, Wilds, Progressive Jackpots
Microgaming’s Major Millions have been breaking records for their progressive jackpot, but the Mega Moolah is still ahead.
The game was launched in 2009, still with celebrations for the launch of Microgaming’s 400th machine in progress. It’s a simple 5-cylinder slot machine with an African theme and a fun free spin bonus game.
The real highlight of Mega Moolah, however, is the progressive jackpot. In fact, there are four different progressive jackpots that you can win.
Tomb Raider (Microgaming)
- Cylinders: 5
- Payment lines: 15
- Features: Free rounds with Multiplier, Round Tomb Bonus
Launched in 2005, Tomb Raider was one of the first examples of a brand new online slot machine. It was developed together with Eidos, the creators of the very popular Tomb Raider video game series.
The technology did not allow any kind of bonus round based on the skills of the original video games, but Tomb Raider still presented real images of Lara Croft in a series of poses.
Microgaming released several sequences for Tomb Raider, including Temples and Tombs, from 2019.
The Incredible Hulk (Playtech)
- Cylinders: 5
- Payment Lines: 50
- Features: Smash Bonus, Free Rounds, Expanding Hulk
The Incredible Hulk was launched in the mid-2000s by Playtech as part of a larger series produced jointly with Marvel. The series also included games such as Iron Man 2, Fantastic Four and X-Men.
The game featured many paylines, an adrenalin-pumping Smash Bonus feature and special Expanding Hulks.
But after Marvel’s acquisition of Disney, the new owners decided that online slot machines did not fit their business model. The Marvel series – which also included a variety of progressive jackpot games – was terminated.
Playtech kept the software and bonuses intact by relaunching Marvel games as a series of successful slot machines under the name “Age of the Gods”.
Gonzo’s Quest (NetEnt)
- Cylinders: 5
- Payment lines: 20
- Features: Reels Avalanche, Multipliers, Free Falls
Launched in 2011, Gonzo’s Quest from NetEnt introduced slot machine players to a new concept: the Avalanche Reels. After a common spin, any winning symbols are removed from the cylinders, only to be replaced by symbols placed just above the cylinders.
In addition, after a winning spin, a multiplier is attached to the winning prize and continues to increase after the next wins. Each great developer now has their own version of Avalanche Reels, but Gonzo’s Quest is the original.
Jack and the Beanstalk (NetEnt)
- Cylinders: 5
- Payment lines: 20
- Features: Free Spins, Expansive Wilds, Mobile Wilds
3D slot machines have been around for a few years, but few are as well designed as NetEnt’s Jack and the Beanstalk.
The fairytale theme slot machine features an animated introduction film showing our hero trying to get out of the giant’s lair with his golden eggs.
In terms of bonuses, Jack and the Beanstalk was the first slot machine to feature Mobile Wilds. These special wilds jump one cylinder to the left in each repeated spin.
The game was also adapted into an experimental nickel slot where the player can dive into Jack’s world while playing.